Electrosurgical system for communicating information embedded in an audio tone

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical system is provided. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including a computer having one or more microprocessors in operable communication with memory for storing information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator. An audio output module is in operable communication with the computer and configured to generate an audio output having the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded therein. A speaker is in operable communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio output. A recording device is configured to record the audio output. An audio collector is configured to receive the audio output from the recording device and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,111, filed Mar. 22, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,198,711, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical generator configured to communicate information embedded in an audible tone generated by the electrosurgical generator.

2. Description of Related Art

Electrosurgical systems that are configured to electrosurgically treat tissue are well known in the art. Electrosurgical systems, typically, include an electrosurgical generator that is configured to couple and provide electrosurgical energy, e.g., RF and/or microwave energy, to one or more suitable types of electrosurgical instruments, e.g., electrosurgical forceps.

For example, and in one particular instance, the electrosurgical generator and corresponding electrosurgical instrument may be configured to seal tissue. In this instance, the electrosurgical generators may be configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical instrument for specified time period and intensity level, commonly referred to as a “duty cycle.” The electrosurgical generators may be configured to provide an audible indication to an end user, e.g., a surgeon. For example, and in certain instances, the electrosurgical generators may be configured to provide an audible tone that represents the beginning of a duty cycle and an audible tone that represents an end of the duty cycle.

SUMMARY

While the aforementioned electrosurgical systems provide an effective method in electrosurgically treating tissue, it may prove advantageous to provide an electrosurgical generator that is configured to embed information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical instrument coupled thereto and/or an electrosurgical procedure in an audible tone generated by the electrosurgical generator.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrosurgical system configured for use in performing an electrosurgical procedure. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including a computer having one or more microprocessors in operable communication with memory for storing information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator. An audio output module is in operable communication with the computer and configured to generate an audio output having the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded therein. The embedded information may be encrypted. A speaker is in operable communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio output. An audio collector is configured to receive the audio output from the speaker and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use.

The audio collector may be components of the electrosurgical generator. In this particular instance, the deciphered information may be stored in memory of the electrosurgical generator.

The audio collector may include a computer system including a processor, memory, one or more storage devices, one or more input modules, one or more output modules and one or more communication ports configured to couple to the recording device.

The audio collector may be a component of a video recording system configured to video-tape the electrosurgical procedure.

The information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may include, but is not limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument, type of electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical generator serial number, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to electrosurgical instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator was shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical generator or automatically as a result of an end of a duty cycle.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrosurgical generator configured to provide electrosurgical energy to an electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument includes a computer having one or more microprocessors that are in operable communication with memory for storing information pertaining to either the electrosurgical generator or the electrosurgical instrument. An audio output module is configured to generate an audio output having the information pertaining to one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument embedded therein. The embedded information may be encrypted. One or more speakers are in operable communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio output received from the audio output module.

In certain instances, the electrosurgical generator is in operable communication with an audio collector configured to record the audio output from the speaker(s) and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument may be utilized for future use.

In certain stances, the audio collector may be a component of a video recording system configured to video-tape the electrosurgical procedure. In other instances, the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may include, but is not limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument, type of electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical generator serial number, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to electrosurgical instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator was shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical generator or automatically as a result of an end of a duty cycle.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of transferring information pertaining to an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument. An audio output is generated and embedded with information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator and electrosurgical instrument. The audio output is transmitted from the electrosurgical generator. The audio output is recorded and, subsequently deciphered.

An audio output module may be provided to generate and, subsequently, embed the audio output with the information pertaining to one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument. A speaker may be provided to transmit the audio output. An audio collector is provided to record and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use. The audio collector may be a component of a video recording system configured to video-tape the electrosurgical procedure.

The method may include encrypting the embedded information prior to transmitting the audio output. The information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may include, but is not limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument, type of electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical generator serial number, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to electrosurgical instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator was shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical generator or automatically as a result of an end of a duty cycle.

The method may also include regenerating the deciphered information into one of an audible and visual perceivable medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrosurgical system configured for use with an electrosurgical instrument according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for transferring information pertaining to an electrosurgical generator and an electrosurgical instrument configured for use with the electrosurgical system depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an electrosurgical system 2 is illustrated including an electrosurgical generator 4 and an electrosurgical device (e.g., an electrosurgical forceps, electrosurgical stapler, etc.) configured to electrosurgically treat tissue. For the purposes herein, it is assumed that the electrosurgical device is a bipolar endoscopic electrosurgical forceps 6.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, electrosurgical generator 4 includes electronic circuitry that generates radio frequency power for various electrosurgical procedures (e.g., sealing, cutting, coagulating, or ablating tissue). The electrosurgical generator 4 may be configured to function in either monopolar or bipolar modes of operation. A plurality of outputs (not explicitly shown) may be configured for interfacing with the forceps 6 and/or other various electrosurgical instruments and or devices, e.g., a return pad, etc.

In accordance with the instant disclosure, and depending on the specific type of electrosurgical procedures that the electrosurgical generator 4 is set to provide electrosurgical energy for, the electrosurgical generator 4 utilizes one or more duty cycles to effect tissue. For example, and in one particular embodiment, a duty cycle may include applying electrosurgical energy to tissue grasped between jaw members 8, 10 of the forceps 6 for a predetermined amount of time to seal tissue. At the end of the duty cycle, the sealed tissue may be severed by either a cutting electrode or knife.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the electrosurgical generator 4 provides an audible tone (of suitable frequency) to indicate to a user when to begin applying electrosurgical energy to tissue and when to stop applying electrosurgical energy to tissue such that an effective tissue seal may be achieved. In embodiments, the audio tone may be perceivable to a user. Alternately, the electrosurgical generator 4 may be configured to provide an audible tone that is not perceivable to a user, e.g., an audible tone in an ultrasonic frequency range. In either instance, the electrosurgical generator 4 is configured to embed the audible tone with information that is pertinent to the electrosurgical generator 4, the forceps 6 and/or an electrosurgical procedure.

Electrosurgical generator 4 includes a computer 12 having one or more microprocessors 14 in operable communication with memory 16 (in embodiments, electrosurgical generator 4 may include flash memory 16) for storing information “I” pertaining to the electrosurgical generator 4 (FIG. 1). The information “I” pertaining to the electrosurgical generator 4 may include, but is not limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of the electrosurgical generator 4 and/or the forceps 6, type of electrosurgical instrument that is connected to the electrosurgical generator 4, serial number of the electrosurgical generator 4, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to the forceps 6, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator 4 was shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical generator 4 or automatically as a result of an end of a duty cycle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various types of processors and memory that can be used for storing information “I.” For example, an embodiment of electrosurgical generator 4 may include a single-board computer 12 that includes the processor 14 and memory 16. Such single-board computers are commercially available. Alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 4 may include a microcontroller that functions as the processor 14.

In embodiments, electrosurgical generator 4 may include inputs (not shown) that allow a user to enter user input to the electrosurgical generator 4. The inputs may, for example, be a set of buttons, switches, sensors, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various kinds of inputs that can be used for a user to enter user input. Through the inputs the user may include specific information to be embedded on the audible tone that is generated by the electrosurgical generator 4.

An audio output module 18 is in operable communication with the computer 12 and is configured to generate an audio output 20 that has information “I” embedded therein (FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the audio output 20 is perceivable to a user, recorded, and decoded by an audio collector 22, described in greater detail below. In operation, audio output module 18 compiles relevant information stored in memory 16 that is to be embedded with the audio output 20. That is, audio output module 18 translates the information “I” stored in memory 16 into a suitable audio output format such that the information “I” may be embedded with the audio output 20. Once the information “I” has been embedded with the audio output 20 it is output through a speaker 24 (FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the embedded audio output 20 may be encrypted to protect the embedded audio output 20 during transfer thereof.

Speaker 24 with supporting speaker components, e.g., a driving circuit (not explicitly shown) is in operable communication with the audio output module 18 for outputting the embedded audio output 20 (FIG. 1). Speaker components may include one or more sound cards with a speaker jack to which a speaker 24 may be attached. Further, the speaker 24 and speaker components may be embodied in an integrated circuit capable of producing sound. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the commercially available speakers and sound components that may be utilized with the electrosurgical generator 4 to produce sound.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, audio collector 22 may use a computer 26 to recognize the tones, the tone sequences, the tone frequencies, etc., and to receive and decode the embedded audio output 20 output by the speaker 24. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the audio collector 22 may include computer 26 that is configured to listen for the embedded audio output 20 generated by the electrosurgical generator 4 and also configured to decode the embedded audio output 20. The decoded information is placed in memory 30 for future use thereof. Typical components of a computer 26 may include a processor 28, memory 30, a storage device 32, input devices 34 and output devices 36. In certain embodiments, one or more communication ports 38 may also be included in the audio controller 22 and/or computer 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many more components may be included in the audio collector 22 and/or computer 20. For example, various output devices may include without limitation a monitor, speakers, a printer, etc.

Audio controller 22 includes a microphone 40 (FIG. 1) including supporting components associated therewith. Microphone 40 is used to detect the embedded audio output 20 and includes audio processing software (not shown) that used to decipher the embedded audio output 20 transmitted from the speaker 24 of the electrosurgical generator 4. Microphone 40 (and supporting components associated therewith) may be configured to communicate with one or more components of the computer 26 of the audio controller 22. To provide the embedded audio output 20 to the audio collector 22, the user may simply place the audio collector 22 in a vicinity of speaker 24 of the electrosurgical generator 4.

In certain instances, the audio controller 22 may configured to function as part of an optional video-recording system 42. Other than including the previously described capabilities of the audio controller 22, video-recording system 42 functions similar to conventional video-recording systems.

Operation of electrosurgical system 2 is described in terms of a method for transferring information pertaining to an electrosurgical generator 4 and an electrosurgical instrument 6. Audio output module 18 is utilized to generate an audio output, see FIG. 2 at step 200. The audio output is embedded with information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator 4 and electrosurgical instrument 6, see FIG. 2 at step 202. The embedded audio output 20 is communicated to the speaker 24 that transmits the embedded audio output 20, see FIG. 2 at step 204.

The microphone 40 of the audio controller detects the embedded audio output 20. The audio controller 22 records the embedded audio output tone, deciphers the embedded audio output 20 and, subsequently, stores the deciphered information into memory 30 see FIG. 2 at steps 206 and 208. Thereafter, the deciphered information “I” may be retrieved from memory 30 for future use thereof. For example, the deciphered information may be regenerated into either an audible and/or visual perceivable medium, e.g., monitor, speakers, a printer, etc.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, and as noted above, the electrosurgical system 2 may be configured to include video recording system 42. This embodiment may be particularly useful in reviewing a surgical procedure, a training environment or for troubleshooting the electrosurgical generator 4 and/or forceps 6.

For example, in use, a surgeon grasps tissue and activates the electrosurgical generator 4. The electrosurgical generator 4 emits an embedded audible tone 20, but the surgeon does not hear the end of the embedded audible tone 20 and prematurely stops the transmission of electrosurgical energy to tissue to only partially treat the tissue, e.g., an ineffective tissue seal.

Subsequently, the surgeon utilizes a knife blade (or other suitable device) to sever the “partially” treated tissue. As can be appreciated, there exists a likelihood that the severed and “partially” treated tissue may bleed or burst, which, in turn, may cause patient concern.

With the presently disclosed disclosure, the embedded audio output 20 can be reviewed to determine when the surgeon shut off the electrosurgical generator 4. That is, to determine if the surgeon prematurely ended the duty-cycle or if the electrosurgical generator 4 was not functioning properly, thereby removing the guess-work as to who or what was at fault.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An electrosurgical generator comprising: a memory configured to store data pertaining to the electrosurgical generator; a processor in operable communication with the memory; an audio output module coupled to the processor and configured to generate an audio signal encoding the data; a speaker coupled to the audio output module and configured to output the audio signal; and an audio collector configured to receive the audio signal and decode the data encoded in the audio signal.
 21. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 20, wherein the audio output module is further configured to encrypt the audio signal.
 22. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 21, the audio collector is configured to decrypt the encrypted audio signal.
 23. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 20, wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of the electrosurgical generator, type of an electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical generator, serial number of the electrosurgical generator, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to an electrosurgical instrument, and shut off condition.
 24. An electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical instrument; an electrosurgical generator configured to supply electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical generator including: a memory configured to store data pertaining to the electrosurgical generator; a processor in operable communication with the memory; an audio output module coupled to the processor and configured to generate an audio signal encoding the data; a speaker coupled to the audio output module and configured to output the audio signal; and an audio collector configured to receive the audio signal and decode the data encoded in the audio signal.
 25. The electrosurgical system according to claim 24, wherein the audio output module is further configured to encrypt the audio signal.
 26. The electrosurgical system according to claim 25, the audio collector is configured to decrypt the encrypted audio signal.
 27. The electrosurgical system according to claim 24, wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the electrosurgical generator or the electrosurgical instrument, type of the electrosurgical instrument, serial number of at least one of the electrosurgical generator or the electrosurgical instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to the electrosurgical instrument, and shut off condition.
 28. A method for transferring information pertaining to an electrosurgical generator, comprising: encoding data in an audio signal at an audio output module, the data pertaining to an electrosurgical generator; outputting the audio signal through a speaker coupled to the audio signal; receiving the audio signal at an audio collector; and decoding the data encoded in the audio signal at the audio collector.
 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: encrypting the audio signal prior to outputting the audio signal.
 30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising: decrypting the audio signal at the audio collector. 